If your dog is suffering from anxiety, you need to take action today on treating and reversing the issue. Your dog has complex feelings and needs just like us humans do. Their genetics come from the wolf, a pack animal with strong social connections.
Like the wolf, your dog follows the lead of the alpha male. It doesn’t matter if you are a guy or a girl, you must be the alpha male that your dog looks to for guidance and follows loyally. Without a leader, your dog will be lost and without purpose.
If you have already established your position as your dog’s leader than you are already a step ahead in dealing with your dog’s anxiety. With your dog trained to follow your commands and look to you for guidance, you have more responsibility than you might think. While your dog can be perfectly trained, they may still develop separation anxiety.
Separation anxiety in dogs develops when your pet is stressed out or anxious when you are not around. Finding a dog anxiety treatment is important to your dog’s health and wellbeing. If you are trying to figure out how to calm and anxious dog, then this article is for you!
Dog Anxiety Treatment
There are a variety of options available for treating dog anxiety. Before exploring the options, it is important that you understand the root of the issues that your dog is having.
When you leave for an amount of time, your dog gets concerned because their leader has gone away and they are feeling lost without you.
If your dog is still a puppy than you are in a great position to work with them on dealing with separation anxiety. Start by leaving casual for short amounts of time. Do not make a big deal about leaving or coming home. If you are overly loving before you leave or when you come home, your dog will get worked up. The goal is to act normal and be consistent.
Start with a short 5-10-minute trip out of the house and back. As your dog gets comfortable with you leaving, you can start to increase the time away. If your dog is having a hard time with you leaving for the short times, consider giving them calming treats. Calming treats for dogs include CBD oil infused dog treats and over the counter anxiety medication. You may also consider a dog anxiety vest that is shown to reduce your dog’s stress.
When you finally find the perfect combo that calms your dog while you are away for short times, you can work your way up to longer times. Ideally, holding the dosage constant with the anxiety medications and treats. What you do not want to do is use an increase does as a supplement for the longer that you are away.
How To Calm An Anxious Dog
Dog anxiety can lead to more serious health issues with your dog if left untreated. Finding a supplement and schedule that provides your dog the mental relief and social stimulation is key to calming an anxious dog.
While calming pills for dogs and CBD oils are great options, sometimes a bit more attention is the final key to calming an anxious dog. Using services like Roover, or a local dog walker to check-in on your dog during the day is a great way to give them that extra bit of attention.
The combination of anxiety meds for dogs and positive social integration can help to improve your dog’s separation anxiety.
Getting Started
The best first step is to try something… anything! If your dog is suffering when you are away it is important that you take action to relieve his anxiety. Using over the counter anxiety medication like we mentioned above could be a good first step.
Just like with any medication, be sure to check with your vet before administering the anxiety meds for dogs. Sometimes these meds could have adverse reactions to other medications that your dog is taking. Try giving your dog the meds when you are around him for an extended period of time so that you can monitor their reaction.
This should give you a good baseline for how they work as well as the confidence that they are not allergic.
Disclosure:
This article is meant to provide insights about dog anxiety and not intended to diagnose or cure medical issues with your pet. Visit a vet if your dog is suffering from any issues or needs medical attention. Consult a professional before trying any of the suggestions above.